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Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
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Maintaining physical activity during refeeding improves body composition, intestinal hyperpermeability and behavior
Najate Achamrah1,2,3, Séverine Nobis1,2, Jonathan Breton1,2
1Normandie Univ, INSERM Unit 1073, UR, France.
Scientific Reports
|February 25, 2016
Summary
Maintaining physical activity during refeeding aids recovery in anorexia nervosa models. Exercise in anorectic mice improved gut barrier function and restored lean mass, suggesting physical activity is crucial for refeeding success.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- The gut-brain axis plays a role in anorexia nervosa pathophysiology.
- The impact of physical activity during refeeding in anorexia nervosa is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gastrointestinal protein metabolism.
- To assess the contribution of physical activity during refeeding in mice with activity-based anorexia (ABA).
Main Methods:
- Activity-based anorexia (ABA) model in C57BL/6 mice.
- Assessment of body composition, fat oxidation, colonic permeability, and muscle kynurenine conversion.
- Comparison between mice with and without running wheel access during refeeding.
Main Results:
- ABA mice showed lower body weight, increased lean/fat mass ratio, and higher fat oxidation.
- Colonic permeability was increased in ABA mice.
- Physical activity during refeeding (ABA-PA) restored fat-free mass and limited colonic hyperpermeability, unlike the inactive group (ABA-NPA).
- ABA-NPA mice exhibited lower muscle kynurenine conversion and altered behavior.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining physical activity during refeeding may mitigate colonic hyperpermeability in anorexia nervosa.
- Physical activity can improve behavioral outcomes in anorectic mice during recovery.
